Around 23% of American adults have varicose veins, which often begin as a cosmetic issue and don’t usually cause serious problems right away. However, this common condition can worsen over time and could eventually lead to serious complications.
At Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, we want patients to know that early symptoms matter. When you catch vein problems sooner, you have more time to avoid discomfort and prevent complications.
Here’s our rundown of what you need to know about dealing with varicose veins promptly.
Varicose veins include swollen, enlarged veins that usually appear just under the skin, most frequently on the legs. They develop when the small valves inside your veins stop working as well as they should.
Instead of helping blood move upward toward your heart, those weakened valves let blood pool in the vein. The resulting pressure stretches the vein wall, causing it to bulge. This condition is called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or venous reflux.
The earliest sign of varicose veins may seem obvious: visible blue, purple, or flesh-colored veins that look twisted, rope-like, or raised. However, symptoms often show up before the veins become that dramatic. For example, you might notice the following issues with your legs:
Symptoms often worsen after prolonged standing and improve when you put your legs up and rest.
You may also notice skin changes around the lower leg or ankle. Dry, itchy skin, discoloration, and irritation can indicate ongoing venous pressure.
Varicose veins could affect anyone, but factors that raise your risk include:
If you have any of these risk factors, your veins may need additional support and attention, especially if you’re already experiencing symptoms.
When varicose veins stop being just an annoyance and start affecting your comfort, mobility, or skin health, don’t put off seeking help any longer. Even if you’re not concerned about their appearance, once they become a bother, it’s time to schedule an assessment.
Act quickly if a vein becomes hot, hard, tender, red, or suddenly more painful. Superficial thrombophlebitis can cause these symptoms, and it’s essential to seek urgent attention for swelling, pain, warm skin, color changes, or sore, swollen veins, which may involve a more serious blood clot.
Bleeding from a varicose vein also needs prompt attention. Even a small cut over a bulging vein can lead to brisk bleeding because pressure inside the vein stays high.
The treatment you need for varicose veins depends on your symptoms, the anatomy of your veins, and your overall health. Our vascular specialists use ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and map blood flow before recommending treatment.
For most minor vein problems, lifestyle changes and wearing compression stockings prevent the condition from worsening. If your varicose veins become an aesthetic or health concern, we offer several cutting-edge treatments:
ClosureFast radiofrequency ablation treats diseased veins with controlled heat. During the procedure, we place a thin catheter into the affected vein and use radiofrequency energy to heat the vein wall.
That heat causes the vein to collapse and seal shut, which enables blood to flow into healthier veins instead. It’s a minimally invasive treatment often used for the superficial vein disease and vein reflux that commonly underlie painful varicose veins.
VenaSeal closes the diseased vein with a specially formulated medical adhesive rather than heat. We deliver a small amount of the adhesive into the vein through a catheter. The treated vein then seals closed, and blood flow redirects to nearby healthy veins.
Varithena utilizes an injectable prescription microfoam called polidocanol to treat varicose veins linked to problems in the great saphenous vein system and related veins.
The foam moves through the targeted vein, displacing blood and irritating the vein lining, which causes the vein to constrict. Over time, your body absorbs the treated vein.
Sclerotherapy treats smaller varicose veins and spider veins with a sclerosant solution. The injected medicine irritates the inside of the vein, causing it to close. Your body then gradually breaks down and absorbs that vein, making it fade from view.
We may also use ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for veins that sit deeper or don’t run straight enough for other treatments.
A vascular evaluation can help determine which treatment best meets your symptoms, vein anatomy, and long-term goals.
If you’ve noticed bulging veins, heaviness, itching, swelling, or skin changes, call Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, today or complete the online form to schedule a vein health evaluation.
